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Summary

The exhibition presents a significant body of works taken from two major projects: Chrysalides (2006-2013) and Lost in Time (2009-2015). Bernatchez’s artistic process involves creating distinct pieces – drawings, photographs, films, sound pieces, installations – that form part of a larger conceptual project. Lost in Time examines the multiple facets of the dimension of time: space-time, cosmic time, performative time, imaginary time, time travel, temporal distortion. The works in Chrysalides revolve around questions of life and death, decomposition and entropy, as well as the cycle of the seasons, and the passing of time over a day, a month, a year.

Both series of works were developed over several years and neither has a clearly defined ending, since the artist has left openings that allow him to take them a step further at any time. Each new exhibition is thus an opportunity to take stock of his constantly evolving cycles, as much in terms of newly added productions as of the ways in which earlier works are presented. The artist does not view an exhibition as the conclusion or completion of the creative process surrounding a group of works but as an intermediary step, an initial presentation that allows the works in question to evolve.

A co-production of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal and the Casino Luxembourg – Forum d’art contemporain, in partnership with Argos – Centre for Art and Media, Brussels, and The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery, Toronto

Noteworthy

The aim of this exhibition by one of Quebec’s most striking artists is to offer an extended view of his interdisciplinary process. Bernatchez’s work is fascinating in the way that his films, sculptures, photographs and others enter into dialogue, creating a conceptually coherent and meaningful whole. The exhibition will provide the Montreal public an opportunity make an incursion deep into the unusual universe of this artist.

Two new works by Patrick Bernatchez are also being presented by Dazibao satellite, on the façades of Café Cherrier and Bonsecours Market, to mark the thirty-fifth anniversary of Dazibao.

Biography

Born in 1972, Patrick Bernatchez lives and works in Montreal. After acclaim for his films I Feel Cold Today and Chrysalide: Emperor at the 2008 Quebec Triennial at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, he was selected as Québec finalist for the 2010 Sobey Art Award. His work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin (2010); Galerie Bertrand Grimont, Paris (2009 and 2012); Galerie West, The Hague (2009 and 2012); and Galerie de l’UQAM, Montréal (2011).

He has also participated in numerous group exhibitions, events and contemporary art fairs, such as Oh, Canada at MASS MoCA, North Adams, MA, USA (2012); the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, Québec City (2008, 2010); Carriageworks, Sydney, Australia (2010); and Les Rencontres internationales: New Cinema and Contemporary Art, Paris/Berlin/Madrid (2008, 2009).

His works can be found in many private collections and in the collections of the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal, the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec, and Télé-Québec.